fcibrar;?  of  t:he  t:heolo0ical  ^tminavy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


-a^^f 


From  librc-:ry  of 
Prof.  3.B.  ¥arfield 


BX  9189  .C5  E7 
Erdman,  Charles  Rosenburv 
1866-1960.  ^" 

Coming  to  the  communion 


-h  ^c-^ryiJoJ^y^yt  l^iA^   ^  JyfuL  .'^t/cof^i.fi^ 


dnmtttg  to 


A  Manual  of  Instruction  for 
Preparatory  Classes  and  Private  Study 


Professor  of  Practical  Theology,  Princeton  Theological  Seminary. 

Formerly  Pastor  of  the  Overbrook  Presbyterian  Church, 

Philadelphia,  and  of  the  First  Presbyterian 

Church,  Germantown,  Pa. 


Prepared  under  the  direction  of  the 
Joint  Committee  on  Religious  Educttion 


PrrHbgtprian  Soarb  of  Pttbltration  attli 

#abbatt|-&rt;aal  Bark 

1912 


Copyright  1912 

By  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian 

Board  of  Publication  and 

Sabbath-School  Woek 


CdnntftttB 

Chapter  Pa8« 

I.     Accepting  Jesus   Christ 13 

II.     Confessing  Jesus  Christ 23 

III.     The    Church 35 

rV.     The   Sacraments 47 

V.     Christian  Life 59 

VI.     Christian  Service 69 


IT  is  hoped  that  this  little  book  may  be  of 
help  to  many  persons  in  connection  with 
the  observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
Communicant  members  of  the  Church  often 
desire,  for  this  service,  special  preparation 
of  mind  and  heart,  and  a  brief  review  of  the 
great  truths  which  the  season  suggests. 
Baptized  members,  who  in  infancy  were  given 
to  God  by  their  parents,  need  to  be  reminded 
of  the  privilege  and  duty  of  taking  their 
places  at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  in  public  ac- 
knowledgment of  their  relation  to  him  and  to 
his  Church;  such  should  receive  instruction 
and  guidance  for  their  first  communion. 
Other  attendants  upon  the  church  services, 
who  are  secretly  trusting  in  Christ,  or  who 
are  seeking  light  upon  religious  problems,  will 
be  aided  by  a  definite  statement  as  to  the 
Church  and  its  sacraments;  and  they  may 
thus  be  led  to  a  profession  of  faith,  and  to 
a  fuller  Christian  life  and  service. 

The  special  design  of  this  manual,  however, 
IS  for  the  use  of  pastors  who  may  wish  to 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

place  in  the  hands  of  inquirers  such  informa- 
tion as  it  contains,  or  who  may  desire  a 
handbook  for  the  instruction  of  classes  pre- 
paratory to  the  communion. 

Six  outline  studies  are  here  offered;  they 
may  be  modified  or  enlarged  as  circumstances 
demand  and  personal  preference  dictates. 
These  studies  relate  to  Christian  faith  and 
profession,  to  the  Church  and  its  sacraments, 
and  to  Christian  life  and  service.  Quota- 
tions from  Scripture,  from  the  standards  of 
the  Church,  and  from  the  Revised  Hymnal 
have  been  included,  either  to  be  memorized  or 
to  be  used  as  illustrations  of  the  topics 
treated.  Brief  collects  or  prayers,  selected 
from  various  sources,  have  been  added  to  the 
chapters ;  and  also  questions  for  review,  the 
answers  to  which  are  indicated  by  references 
to  the  New  Testament.  The  quotations  of 
Scripture  are  usually  from  the  Revised  Ver- 
sion. The  studies  will  probably  be  found  to 
suggest  most  of  the  great  truths  which  should 
be  presented  to  those  who  are  about  to  par- 
take of  "the  supper  of  the  Lord." 


The  practice  of  conducting  classes  pre- 
paratory to  the  communion  is  being  widely 
adopted.  The  plan  is  in  no  sense  novel,  it  is 
merely  a  modern  form  of  the  instruction 
which  the  Church  has  given  in  all  ages 
since  the  early  centuries.  Wherever  the 
method  is  followed,  the  most  satisfactory  re- 
sults are  being  secured;  in  fact 
Zi}t  Nppii  the  establishment  of  such  classes 
has  come  to  be  regarded  as  a 
necessity  of  modern  church  life.  The  need 
is  quite  evident  in  a  church  which,  like  the 
Presbyterian,  holds  that  "all  children  born 
within  the  pale  of  the  visible  Church  are 
members  of  the  Church,  are  to  be  baptized, 
are  under  the  care  of  the  Church,"  and  "when 
they  come  to  years  of  discretion  .... 
ought  to  be  informed  that  it  is  their  duty 
and  their  privilege  to  come  to  the  Lord's 
Supper."  However  careful  the  training  in 
many  Christian  homes,  however  excellent  the 
instruction  in  modern  Sunday  schools,  it 
must  be  admitted  that  preparatory  classes 
are  needed  in  exercising  such  pastoral  care  as 
is  partly  described  by  the  recommendation 
that  "pastors  and  sessions  assemble,  as  often 

7 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

as  they  may  deem  necessary  during  the  year, 
the  baptized  children  ....  to  explain 
to  them  the  nature  and  obligations  of  their 
baptism,  and  the  relation  they  sustain  to  the 
Church." 

^  These    classes    should    not    be 

limited,  however,  to  baptized  chil- 
dren,  nor  m  tact  to  children. 
Such  classes  should  be  formed  for  adults,  and 
at  times  even  for  adult  church  members. 
Some  pastors  bring  together  all  the  Sunday- 
school  pupils  of  a  certain  age,  who  are  then 
expected  to  attend  in  a  body,  together  with 
their  teachers,  while  the  special  instruction 
takes  the  place  of  the  usual  Sunday-school 
lessons.  Even  when,  as  is  more  common, 
membership  is  purely  voluntary,  the  larger 
number  of  attendants  will  be  from  the  Sun- 
day school,  and  they  will  be  young  people 
between  the  ages  of  twelve  and  eighteen;  but 
the  wise  pastor  will  enlarge  the  usefulness  of 
his  classes  by  providing  for  the  attendance  of 
all  persons  who  desire  special  instruction 
relative  to  the  communion.  Invitation  to  the 
classes  should  be  given  in  private  as  well  as  at 
the  public  services  of  the  church,  and  in  ex- 
tending it  the  pastor  should  enlist  the  aid  of 
parents   and   Sunday-school  teachers.     The 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

largest  possible  attendance  should  be  encour- 
aged, but  it  may  be  noted  that  the  smallest 
classes  are  frequently  the  most  profitable. 
Above  all  it  should  be  definitely  understood 
that  in  joining  a  class  no  person  is  thereby 
committed  to  "unite  with  the  Church,"  to 
"come  to  the  communion,"  or  publicly  "to 
profess  faith  in  Christ." 

The  time  for  holding  these 
©lye  Wxxat  classes  will  be  determined  by  the 
character  of  the  membership  as 
well  as  by  local  conditions.  It  is  usually 
advisable  to  hold  six  sessions,  one  each  week, 
before  one  or  two  communions,  every  year. 
When  Sunclay-school  classes  attend  in  a 
body  the  instruction  is  given  during  the  regu- 
lar hour  of  the  Sunday-school  session.  Usu- 
ally some  other  day  of  the  week  is  selected. 
Different  hours  may  be  appointed  to  meet 
the  convenience  of  children  and  of  adults. 
For  example,  before  one  communion  six  ses- 
sions of  the  class  may  be  held  on  Friday  or 
Saturday  afternoons,  to  provide  for  the  at- 
tendance of  the  younger  people;  and  before 
another  communion  six  sessions  may  be  held 
in  the  evenings,  to  suit  the  convenience  of 
older  attendants. 

The  usual  time  of  each  session  should  be 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

about  fortj-five  minutes ;  no  session  should 
occupy  more  than  one  hour. 

The  best  place  for  meeting  is 
iLijt  Pa«      almost  invariably  some  part  of  the 

church  building.  Occasionally 
added  interest  has  been  found  by  holding  the 
meetings  at  the  home  of  the  pastor  or  of 
some  member  of  the  class ;  but  the  serious 
objection  to  this  plan  is  that  some  persons 
may  feel  less  free  to  join  the  class  than  they 
would  in  response  to  a  general  invitation  to  a 
meeting  at  the  church.  Too  large  a  room 
is  to  be  avoided;  and  the  place  most  com- 
monly selected  is  the  lecture  room,  the  Sun- 
day-school room,  or  the  pastor's  study. 

The  leader  of  the  class,  except 
(Sift  UraJipr    in  rare  cases,  should  be  the  pastor 

of  the  church.  While  in  certain 
instances  the  work  has  been  well  done  by 
others,  no  pastor  should  willingly  forego  this 
opportunity  of  rendering  a  supremely  im- 
portant service  to  those  most  in  need  of  his 
guidance  and  influence.  A  considerable  ex- 
pense of  time  and  strength  must  necessarily' 
be  demanded  by  the  preparation  and  the 
teaching,  yet  the  busiest  pastor  will  feel  fully 
repaid  by  the  results  achieved. 

The  method  of  conducting  these  prepara- 

10 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

tory  classes  is  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
leader,  and  will  obviously  vary  in  different 
cases.  Each  session  should  open  with  brief 
devotional  services.     The  use  of  Bibles  and 

notebooks  should  be  encouraged. 
Qlilf  Mtttiah  Every  member  of  the  class  should 

own  a  copy  of  this  manual  or  some 
similar  handbook.  Among  those  with  which 
pastors  may  wish  to  be  acquainted  are,  the 
"Manual  for  Communicants'  Classes,"  by  J. 
R.  Miller,  D.D. ;  "Christian  Doctrine,"  by 
Professor  W.  Brenton  Greene,  Jr.,  D.D. ; 
"Being  a  Christian,"  by  Washington  Glad- 
den, and  "The  Lord's  Supper,"  by  Rev. 
Robert  Pogue. 

The  leader  should  present  the  topic  briefly, 
but  with  illustrations,  and  with  definite  appli- 
cation, yet  in  an  informal  and  conversational 
manner,  accompanying  his  presentation  by 
simple  questions,  and  inviting  other  questions 
from  members  of  the  class.  The  topic  for  the 
next  session  should  be  assigned,  and  the  meet- 
ing closed  with  prayer.  An  opportunity 
should  be  offered  to  arrange  for  private  in- 
terviews with  any  members  of  the  class  who 
may  desire  to  speak  personally  with  the  pas- 
tor. Memorizing  of  Scripture  verses  and 
hymns  may  be  encouraged,  but  no  task  should 

11 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

be  burdensome  or  embarrassing,  and  no  open 
declaration  of  faith  or  promise  of  confession 
should  be  requested;  the  whole  aim  of  the 
instruction  should  be  to  enable  those  present 
more  clearly  to  see  their  relation  to  Christ 
and  his  Church. 


12 


I 

"As  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he 
the   right  to  become  children  of  God,  even  to 

them  that  believe  on  his  name." 

John  1:12. 


''Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  a  saving  grace, 
whereby  we  receive  and  rest  upon  him  alone 
for  salvation,  as  he  is  offered  to  us  in  the 
gospeV* 

Shorter  Catechism,  86. 


No  step  in  life  can  compare  in  Importance 
with  that  of  a  free,  glad,  loving  acceptance  of 
Christ.  Without  him  we  have  neither  light, 
nor  strength,  nor  hope ;  we  do  not  know  God 
in  his  real  holiness  and  love ;  we  find  no  relief 
from  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin;  we  have 
no  assurance  of  future  glory.  Through 
Christ  we  know  God  as  our  loving  Father ;  in 
him  we  have  a  Saviour  from  sin ;  with  him  we 
shall  share  the  blessedness  of  our  Father's' 
house  forever. 

Christ  is  the  revelation  of  God.  I 
,         Not  only  does  he  teach  us  what 
^   .         God   is    like,    in   the   purity    and 
sympathy   and  tenderness   or   the 
divine  Fatherhood;  but  he  is  God,  one  with 
the  Father,  and  "in  him  dwells  all  the  full- 
ness of  the  Godhead  in  bodily  form."     So 
truly  is  he  "God  manifest  in  the  flesh"  that  he 
could  say:   "He  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen 
the  Father";  "I  and  the  Father  are  one"; 
"No  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by  me." 
It  is  just  because  he  can  reveal  the  Father  to 
each  one  of  us,  that  he  is  able  to  promise  us 
peace  and  rest  if  we  come  to  him.    When  he 
gave  his  matchless  invitation:     **Come  unto 

15 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and 
I  will  give  you  rest,"  he  first  made  this  won- 
derful claim :   "No  one  knoweth  the  Son,  save 
the    Father;    neither    doth    any    know    the 
Father,  save  the  Son,  and  he  to  whomsoever 
the  Son  willeth  to  reveal  him."     He  who  can 
/make   us   know   God   in   his   blessed  Father- 
[hood,  he  it  is  who  can  give  us  rest;  and  if  we 
take  his  yoke  upon  us,  and  learn  of  him,  we 
"shall  find  rest  unto  our  souls."     Whatever 
tour  doubts  or  fears  or  burdens  or  cares -may 
/  be,  he  offers  us  his  peace,  and  his  loving  com- 
panionship, and  his  divine  power.    The  better 
we  know  him,  the  more  we  learn  of  him,  the 
longer  we  follow  him,  the  more  real  and  per- 
fect will  this  "rest"  become. 
/  /    Christ  is  also  our  Saviour,  and 

.  (Redeemer  from  sin.  Before  his 
birth  the  angel  was  heard  to  say, 
"Thou  shalt  call  his  name  'Jesus' 
(Saviour);  for  it  is  he  that  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins."  So  Paul  declares 
in  one  of  his  letters:  "This  is  a  faithful 
saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners." 

/"  He  redeemed  us  from  the  guilt  of  sin  in 
fhis  death  for  us  on  the  cross:   "He  bore  our 

16 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree."  "He  was  \ 
wounded  for  our  transgressions  and  bruised 
for  our  iniquities.'*  "He  loved  us  and  gave 
himself  for  us."  When  we  do  wrong  our  con- 
science is  troubled  and  we  find  no  relief  from 
our  distress  by  hiding  or  trying  to  forget 
our  fault.  Peace  comes  only  when  we  "con- 
fess our  sins,"  believing  that  he  is  able  to 
"forgive  and  cleanse." 

He  redeems  us  from  the  power  of  sin  by  ] 
his     Spirit,     the     "Comforter,"     the     divine 
"Helper"  who  dwells  within  us,  and  subdues 
that  w^hich  is  evil  and  strengthens  that  which 
is  good.    We  are  continually  tempted  by  evil,\ 
and  we  overcome  its  power  not  merely  by  fearf 
of  punishment,  nor  by  the  strength  of  ouri 
wills,    but    by    depending    upon    the    unseen ' 
Saviour  "who  is  able  to  keep  us  from  falling." 

He  redeems  us  from  the  presence  and  con- 
sequences of  sin,  as  he  brings  us,  at  last,  into 
the  glory  of  his  perfect  kingdom  from  which' 
has  been  cast  out  "everything  that  offends." 
Our  struggle  is  not  to  be  endless.  Some  day 
we  are  to  see  our  Saviour,  and  "we  shall  be 
like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is."  -^ 

Christ  is  also  our  divine  Master  and  Lord.  I    J) 
He   declared,    after   he   had   risen    from   the' 
dead,  that  all  power  had  been  given  him  in 

17 


/ 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

heaven  and  on  earth ;   and  he  sent  out  his 

followers  to  bring  all  men  into  obedience  and 

submission  to  him  as  his  disciples. 

.  His  great  apostle  Paul  called  him- 

self   a   "bond-servant"    or    "slave 

of  Jesus  Christ" ;  and  he  regarded 

himself  as  "crucified  with  Christ."    This  was 

what  Christ  was  ever  demanding.    He  insisted 

that  men  must  "take  up  the  cross"  and  "come 

after   him."      The    cross    was    a    symbol    of 

death;  and  the  Master  meant  that  self  must 

be  put  to  death,  and  the  will  of  each  follower 

be    wholly    surrendered    to    the    will    of    his 

sovereign  Lord. 

f     Since  Christ  is  such  a  Revela- 
tion of  the  Father,  such  a  loving 
Saviour,  such  a  divine  Lord,  only 
he  is  properly  called  a  Christian 
•wKo^s^tands   in   a   right   relation   to    Christ. 

fThis  relation  has  already  been  suggested, 
and  it  may  be  made  still  more  plain  by 
mentioning  some  of  the  familiar  phrases 
by  which  it  is  described  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. Men  are  bidden  "to  believe"  on 
(Christ,  "to  come"  to  him,  "to  love"  him, 
"to  follow"  him,  "to  obey"  him,  "to  trust" 
him,  "to  serve"  him,  "to  receive"  or  "to  ac- 
cept" him.      The  last   of  these   is   no   more 

18 


StrnmtttQ 
CIIpriHtiatt 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

important  than  the  others,  nor  does  it  differ 
from  them  in  meaning,  but  it  may  be  empha- 
sized as  fixing  our  thought  upon  the  begin- 
ning of  a  conscious  Christian  life.  One  be-* 
comes  a  Christian  when  he  accepts  Christ  as 
his  Teacher,  his  Redeemer,  his  divine  Lord. 
Of  course  one  may  not  remember  the  time 
when  first  he  so  regarded  Christ.  Then,  too, 
the  early  knowledge  of  Christ  is  limited  and 
vague.  But  as  Christ  is  more  and  more 
clearly  presented,  in  the  influences  of  the 
home,  in  the  services  of  the  church,  in  the 
instruction  of  the  Sunday  school,  in  the  pages 
of  the  Bible,  in  the  voice  of  conscience,  and  in 
the  experiences  of  the  soul,  the  Christian  is 
one  who  receives  Christ  as  he  is  offered,  in 
all  his  offices  and  perfections  and  powers. 
The  Christian  "comes"  to  Christ  as  to  a 
divine  Teacher  and  Guide,  he  "believes"  on 
him  and  "trusts"  him  and  "loves"  him  as  his 
Saviour  and  Friend;  he  "follows"  him  and 
*'obeys"  him  and  "serves"  him  as  his  Master 
and  Lord ;  he  surrenders  his  very  soul  to  him 
in  absolute  devotion ;  he  worships  and  adores 
him,  together  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Spirit,  as  "very  God  of  very  God." 

Such  a  yielding  of  self,  and  such  a  sincere! 
acceptance  of  Christ,  may  be  gradual;  the* 

19 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

[day  or  hour  may  or  may  not  be  fixed ;  but  it 
begins  a  life  so  new,  so  distinct,  so 
blessed,  that  a  Christian  is  said  to 
have  been  "born  again,"  or  "born 
anew,"  or  "born  from  above,"  or  "born  of 
God."  So  Paul  described  the  change  as  "re- 
generation," or  a  "new  birth." 

This  new  life  is  also  called  "eternal  life" ; 
^not  merely  to  denote  its  endlessness,  but 
rather  to  suggest  its  quality  and  kind,  as 
belonging  to  the  eternal,  as  linked  and  re- 
lated to  God  from  which  it  springs.  It  is 
a  present  possession  of  the  Christian.  Its 
main  features  are  goodness  and  trust  and 
love.  Its  glory  will  abide  forever.  Its  every 
need  will  be  supplied  by  Christ, 

*'0  Holy  Saviour,  Friend  unseen, 
Since  on  thine  arm  thou  bid'st  me  lean, 
Help  me  throughout  life's  varying  scene, 
By  faith  to  cling  to  thee. 

* 'Though  faith  and  hope  may  long  be  tried, 
I  ask  not,  need  not  aught  beside ; 
How  safe,  how  calm,  how  satisfied. 
The  souls  that  cUng  to  thee. 

"Blest  is  my  lot,  whate'er  befall; 
What  can  disturb  me,  who  appall, 
While  as  my  Strength,  my  Rock,  my  All, 
Saviour,  I  cling  to  thee?" 

Revised  Hymnal,  No.  551. 
20 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

O  Best  of  Friends:  grant  me  grace  to  know  thee 
better  and  to  love  thee  more;  guard  me  from  evil, 
from  doubt  and  from  sin;  lead  me  in  right  paths;  help 
me  to  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith ;  teach  me  the  joy 
of  service,  and  enable  me  ever  to  live  for  thee.    Amen. 


(i^urBttnttB  for  Alibttinttal  #tulig 

1.  Why  did  Christ  come  into  the  world?  I  Tim. 
1:15,  16;  John  3:16;   10:10. 

2.  Why  was  he  called  "Jesus"?     Matt.  1:21. 

3.  What  are  some  other  names  by  which  he  was 
called?     John  1:1,  18,  29,  34,  38,  41,  45,  49,51;  20:28. 

4.  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?     Acts  16 :31. 

5.  What  does  Christ  require  of  his  followers? 
Matt.  16:24. 

6.  What  does  Christ  promise  those  who  come  to 
him?     Matt.  11:28;  John  4:13,  14;  6:35;  7:37. 

7.  What  are  some  of  the  names  by  which  those 
who  accept  Christ  are  called?  Acts  11 :26;  Rom.  1:7; 
John  15:13,  15;  20:17;  I  John  3:1-3. 


21 


n 

**  If  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  Jesus 
as  Lord,  and  shalt  believe  in  thy  heart  that  God 
raised  him  from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved: 
for  with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteous- 
ness ;    and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made 

unto  salvation." 

Horn.  10:  9.  10. 


The  Apostles'  Creed 

"/  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty, 
Maker  of  Heaven  and  earth: 

And  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only  Son,  our 
Lord;  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost; 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary;  suffered  under 
Pontius  Pilate:  was  crucified,  dead,  and 
buried;  he  descended  into  hell;*  the  third  day 
he  arose  again  from  the  dead;  he  ascended 
into  heaven;  and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of 
God  the  Father  Almighty;  from  thence  he 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  the  holy  Cath- 
olic Church ;'\  the  Communion  of  Saints;  the 
Forgiveness  of  sins;  the  Resurrection  of  the 
body;  and  the  Life  everlasting,     Amen,'* 


*In  Old  English  the  word  denotes  "the  place  of  departed 
spirits";  the  phrase  therefore  means:  Continued  in  the  state  of 
the  dead  and  under  the  power  of  death  until  the  third  day. 

f'Catholic"  means  universal;  the  phrase  therefore  refers  not 
to  the  Church  of  Rome,  but  to  the  universal  Church  which  in- 
cludes all  believers  in  Christ. 


(24) 


If  we  have  accepted  Christ,  it  is  our  duty 
and  privilege  to  acknowledge  openly  our  re- 
lation to  him.      The  need  is  voiced  by  the 
words  of  our  Master:     "Whoso- 
.  ever  therefore  shall  confess  me  be- 

fore men,  him  will  I  confess  also 
before  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  But 
whosoever  shall  deny  me  before  men,  him  will 
I  also  deny  before  my  Father  which  is  in 
heaven." 

This  confession  refers  first  and  /  ^ 
chiefly  to  our  character  and  con- 
duct.  Our  whole  lives  are  to  be 
such  as  continually  to  show  that  we  belong  to 
Christ,  and  are  controlled  by  his  Spirit.  No 
matter  what  our  lips  may  be  saying,  if  our 
deeds  are  not  good  and  helpful  and  generous, 
if  we  are  not  honest  and  pure  and  kindly  in 
our  dealings  with  others,  we  are  "denying  the 
Lord  who  bought  us."  The  best  confession' 
of  Christ  is  that  of  a  consistent  Christian  life. 

However,    there    was     another    ^ 

Hn  (Srial         form  of  confession  to  which  Christ 

was  referring  in  the  words  we  have 

just  read.    He  was  warning  his  disciples  that 

they  would  meet  with  much  persecution  and 

25 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

opposition  if  they  followed  him,  and  he 
wished  to  encourage  them  to  patient  endur- 
ance, by  assuring  them  of  a  divine  and  eternal 
reward  if  they  continued  faithful  to  him.  As 
he  predicted  so  it  came  to  pass.  The  fol- 
lowers of  Christ  were  imprisoned,  scourged, 
tortured,  killed;  but  they  witnessed  to  the 
sustaining  power  of  Christ  by  their  patience 
under  persecution  and  their  courage  in  the 
face  of  death.  These  men  were  called  mar- 
tyrs or  confessors.  And  such  we  are  called 
to  be.  Our  trials  may  be  of  a  very  different 
character ;  we  may  or  may  not  be  asked  to 
endure  bodily  suffering  or  death ;  but  we  may 
meet  with  opposition  or  ridicule  or  unpopu- 
larity because  we  are  following  Christ. 
Loyalty,  to  him  may  demand  many  sacrifice^- 

(and  involve  hardships.  Our  confession  will 
'consist  m  the  forbearance  and  patience  and 
love  we  manifest.  To  strengthen  us  for  such 
testimony  Christ  has  given  us  the  beatitude: 
^'Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  ^vou, 
ajia  persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  manner 
of  evil  against  you  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Re- 
joice, and  be  exceeding  glad;  for  great  is 
your  reward  in  heaven." 
3  There  is  a  third  way  of  confessing  Christ. 
It  is  more  formal,  but  closely  related  to  the 


26 


^.  e^^'tjtA^ 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

other  two.    It  consists  in  publicly  taking  our 
places  as  members  of  the  Church  and  observ- 
*,    ^.      .     inff  the  sacraments  which  Christ 
-,     .  2;avc  to  his  lollowers.     I  his  lorm 

of  confession  is  commonly  called 
"uniting  with  the  Church,"  and  those  who 
are  received  into  membership  are  baptized 
as  Christians  and  partake  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Those  who,  as  members,  were  bap- 
tized in  infancy,  publicly  assume  the  respon- 
sibility of  communicants  and  make  their  ac- 
knowledgment of  Christ  by  coming  to  the 
table  of  the  Lord. 

_,  But  what  is  the  need  of  such  a 

public  confession.''  Why  is  it  not 
quite  sufficient  to  trust  and  obey  Christ  in 
secret,  and  to  live  in  his  strength  and  to  seek 
to  serve  him  in  private,  to  confess  him  by  our 
lives,  without  recognizing  any  special  relation 
to  the  Church? 

j^  First   of   all,  because   our  own 

(grntntlf  w^ell-being  demands  it.     The  new 

life  which  springs  from  faith  in  Christ  cannot 
be  fully  developed  until  this  step  is  taken. 
Secret  discipleship  is  never  satisfactory.  It 
strengthens  one  to  feel  that  he  is  definitely 
committed  to  a  certain  course  and  cause. 
The  association  with  other   Christians   is   a 

27 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

continual  source  of  inspiration  and  an  un- 
failing safeguard.  The  privilege  of  partak- 
ing in  the  sacrament  of  the  "Lord's  Supper" 
is  a  divinely  ordained  means  of  spiritual 
growth.  For  these  and  other  reasons  we  owe 
it  to  ourselves  that  we  publicly  assume  our 
places  as  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
2^  Still  more  do  we  owe  it  to  others 

Unfbxtntt  that  we  definitely  declare  and  ac- 
knowledge our  relation  to  Christ.  Our 
influence  may  be  greater  or  less  than  we  sup- 
pose; but  whatever  it  may  be,  it  should  be 
definitely  exerted  toward  leading  others  to 
accept  Christ  as  their  Lord.  Instead  of 
being  helpful,  one  who  secretly  trusts  in 
Christ  is  often  a  serious  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  others.  They  regard  his  life,  and  admire 
his  character,  while  ignorant  of  the  secret 
sources  of  his  power.  Believing  that  such 
a  person  is  not  a  Christian,  they  naturally 
conclude  that  one  can  lead  the  highest  life 
without  accepting  Christ.  On  the  other 
hand,  no  one  ever  frankly  and  honestly  takes 
his  stand  as  a  professing  Christian  without 
in  some  measure  inclining  others  to  become 
followers  of  the  Master. 

Most  of  all  we  owe  to  our  Lord  this  form 
of  public  confession  in  the  church.     He  in- 

28 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

tended  his  Church  to  continue  through  the 
centuries   as   the   divine   agency   for   making 
known  in  the  world  his  saving  power;  but 
X  should    all    persons    determine    to 

Cnijaltff  be  secret  followers  of  Christ,  the 
ta  (ffliriat  Church  would  soon  cease  to  exist 
and  the  gospel  would  no  longer  be  preached, 
and  so  far  as  a  lost  world  is  concerned,  Christ 
would  have  died  in  vain.  Yet  what  is  the 
duty  of  one  is  the  duty  of  all  who  have 
accepted  Christ;  it  is  to  become  members  of 
his  Church. 

Christ  also  definitely  declared  that  those 
who  believed  on  him  were  to  be  baptized,  and 
that  his  followers  were  to  observe  his  Supper 
in  remembrance  of  him.  Our  loyalty  to  him 
must  make  us  obedient  to  these  explicit  com- 
mands. 

Then,  too,  enrollment  as  church  members 
is  like  enlisting  under  a  great  leader  and 
accepting  the  uniform  and  honoring  the  flag. 
The  "Captain  of  our  salvation"  can  hardly 
be  pleased  with  those  who  seem  ashamed  to 
be  known  as  his  followers. 

"Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  cross, 
A  follower  of  the  Lamb ; 
And  shall  I  fear  to  own  his  cause 
Or  blush  to  speak  his  name?'* 

29 


; 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

^  Of  course  there  may  be  serious 

difficulties  in  our  way.    We  should 

face  them  thoughtfully  and  prayerfully,  and 

not  hesitate  to  speak  of  them  to  our  parents, 

or  to  our  pastor,  or  other  trusted  friend. 

l^  For  instance,  we  may  feel  that 

Smp^rffrtimt  we  are  not  good  enough  to  pro- 
/  claim  ourselves  Christians.  It  may  possibly 
^  help  us  if  we  remember  that  we  are  only  con- 
fessing our  own  sinfulness  and  our  need  of  a 
Saviour ;  that  Christ  requires  of  those  who 
accept  him  and  wish  to  become  his  followers, 
not  perfection  but  sincerity" ;  that  the  way  to 
)ecome  Dexter  is  oy  immediate  obedience  to 
every  command  of  Christ ;  that  the  perform- 
ance of  this  particular  duty  will  place  us 
in  surroundings  which  cannot  fail  to  help  us 
do  right ;  and  that  we  shall  never  feel  any 
better  satisfied  with  ourselves,  if  we  continue 
true  to  Christ;  for  it  is  the  experience  of  his 
followers  that  they  feel  less  and  less  worthy, 
the  more  they  come  to  know  the  beauty  and 
loveliness  and  grace  of  their  Lord. 

^  Then,  too,  we  may  feel  that  we 

Sgnarattrt  ^q  not  know  enough  of  Christian 
doctrines  and  beliefs  to  profess  our  faith 
publicly.  W^^inay  hear  many  things  taught 
in  church,  and  may  read  others  in  our  Bibles, 

30 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

which  wc  do  not  understand,  or  possibly  do 
not  believe.  It  is  true  that  many  truths  of 
religion  are  full  of  mystery  and  difficult  to 
apprehend ;  but  in  our  public  confession  we 
are  not  expressing  our  acceptance  of  creeds, 
but  of  Christ.  We  are  claiming  no  knowl- 
edge, but  are  saying  that  we  have  taken  him 
as  our  Teacher,  that  we  have  entered  his 
school,  that  we  expect  to  "learn  of  him" ;  that 
we  believe  in  his  promise  to  "those  who  come 
to  him"  that  "they  shall  not  walk  in  darkness, 
but  shall  have  the  light  of  life." 

3^  Or  we  may  believe  that  we  are 

W^aktxtsB  not  sjtrong  enough  to  maintain  our 
stand  as  followers  of  Christ.  We  often  feel 
our  weakness  most  as  we  begin  to  strive 
against  selfishn^s  and^n;  but  that  is  be-  • 
cause  we  never  realize  the  strength  of  a 
stream  until  we  begin  to  struggle  against  the 
current.  Of  course  we  do  not  wish  to  be  as 
some  others  we  may  know,  who  have  pro- 
fessed faith  in  Christ,  but  who  are  bringing 
contempt  upon  his  sacred  cause  by  their 
inconsistent  lives.  Their  unfaithfulness  has 
not  made  us  love  the  Church  less,  nor  yearn 
less  eagerly  for  a  Christian  life ;  yet  we  do 
not  want  to  make  public  our  determination 
and  then  to  fail.     But  we  need  not  fail.     He 

31 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

who  has  given  us  the  command  will  give  us  all 
needed  strength,  if  we  are  willing  to  obey. 
The  path  of  duty  is  the  path  of  safety.  Let 
us  take  the  step  our  Master  makes  plain; 
let  us  thus  show  we  believe  his  promises  and 
trust  his  power,  and  let  us  leave  the  unseen 
future  with  him  "who  is  able  to  keep  us  from 
falling  and  to  present  us  faultless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy," 

"Jesus,  and  shall  it  ever  be, 
A  mortal  man  ashamed  of  thee  ? 
Ashamed  of  thee  whom  angels  praise. 
Whose  glories  shine  through  endless  days? 

**Ashamed  of  Jesus?    Yes,  I  may 
When  I've  no  guilt  to  wash  away. 
No  tear  to  wipe,  no  good  to  crave, 
No  fears  to  quell,  no  soul  to  save. 

"Till  then — nor  is  my  boasting  vain — 
Till  then  I  boast  a  Saviour  slain; 
And  O  may  this  my  glory  be. 
That  Christ  is  not  ashamed  of  me.** 

Blessed  Saviour :  So  reveal  thy  love  to  me  that  I 
may  be  constrained  to  take  up  my  cross  daily  and 
follow  thee.  Make  me  faithful  unto  death  that  I  may 
receive  at  last  the  crown  of  life.    Amen. 


3S 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 
i^ucBtXana  far  Alibtttnnal  i&tudg 

1.  Who    were    the    first   to    follow  Christ?     John 
1:35-51. 

2.  What  did  Christ  promise  to  make  of  them?    Matt. 
4:18,  19. 

3.  What  sacrifice  was  involved?     Matt.  4:20,  22; 
19:21,  22. 

4.  What  recompense  was  promised?  Matt.  19 :  27-29. 

5.  How  may  we  deny  Christ?     Luke  22:54-62. 

6.  How  soon  should  believers  confess  their  faith? 
Acta  2:37-41;  8:26-38;   16:25-33. 

7.  What  is  meant  by  being  crucified  with  Christ? 
Gal.  2:20;  6:14;  Col.  3:1-4. 


33 


Ill 

"Ye  are  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints,  and 
of  the  household  of  God,  being  built  upon  the 
foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Christ 
Jesus  himself  being  the  chief  corner  stone.  .  . 
In  whom  ye  also  are  builded  together  for  a  habi- 

tation  of  God  in  the  Spirit." 

Eph.  2:19-22. 


"T/i^  universal  Church  consists  of  all  those 
persons,  together  with  their  children,  who 
make  profession  of  the  holy  religion  of 
Christ,  and  of  submission  to  his  laws.'* 

Form  of  Government,  Chap.  II,  Sec.  II. 

"All  children  horn  within  the  pale  of  the 
visible  Church  are  members  of  the  Church, 
are  to  be  baptized,  are  under  the  care  of  the 
Church,  and  subject  to  its  government  and 
discipline;  and  when  they  have  arrived  at 
years  of  discretion  they  are  bound  to  perform 
all  the  duties  of  church  members.** 

Book  of  Discipline,  Chap.  I,  Sec.  5b. 

"A  particular  church  consists  of  a  number 
of  professing  Christians,  together  with  their 
offspring,  voluntarily  associated  together, 
for  divine  worship  and  godly  living,  agree- 
ably to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  submitting 
to  a  certain  form  of  government.^^ 

Form  of  Government,  Chap.  II,  Sec.  IV. 


All  who  profess  faith  in  Christ 
and  obedience  to  him  are  members 
of   the   Christian   Church.      It   is 
this   universal   Church   which   the 
Apostles'  Creed  describes  as  "the  holy  Cath- 
olic Church."    To  this  body,  composed  of  all 
believers,  has  been  given  the  duty  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel  to  every,  creature,  in  order 
that  the  kingdom  of  God  may  be  established 
in  all  the  world,  and  "the  whole  earth  filled 
with  his  glory." 

In  the  New  Testament  are  found  certain 
names  which  have  been  given  to  the  Church, 
which  help  us  to  understand  its  ideal  char- 
acter and  relation  to  Christ.  For  example  it 
is  called  "a  building";  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  "foundation,"  Chris- 
tians are  "living  stones,"  the  Spirit  of  God 
is  the  indwelling  presence.  Such  a  figure 
suggests  the  stability,  the  unity  and  the 
glory  of  the  Church. 

This  unity  is  further  emphasized  by  the 
term  "body."  Jesus  Christ  is  the  head;  and 
all  who  are  united  to  him  by  faith  are  the 
members,  under  his  direction  and  control, 
and  receiving  from  him  life  and  strength. 

37 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

The  Church  is  also  called  "the  bride"  of 
Christ.  This  beautiful  figure  suggests  the 
great  love  which  led  him  to  "give  himself  for 
the  Church,"  and  her  duty  to  be  true  and 
devoted  to  him,  and  further  her  hope  of  shar- 
ing his  glory,  when  he  "shall  present  her  to 
himself"  at  "the  marriage  supper  of  the 
Lamb." 

Among  other  names  it  should  also  be  re- 
membered that  Christ  referred  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  as  his  "witnesses,"  who  by 
the  power  of  his  Spirit  should  preach  his 
gospel  "unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the 
earth." 

As  the  Church  is  now  organized  it  is  di- 
vided into  many  branches,  each  one  of  which 
is  composed  of  separate  congregations  or 
particular  societies  of  Christians.  The  pur- 
pose of  these  particular  churches  is  to  secure 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  the  observance  of 
baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the 
spiritual  growth  of  the  members.  While  all 
have  this  end  in  view,  there  are  many  forms 
of  church  organization  and  government.  The 
gr.  Presbyterian     Church    is    named 

^rtsh^Urmn  from    its    chief    officers,    who    are 

ail|urrly  called  "presbyters"  or  "elders." 
These  are  divided  into  "teaching  elders,"  who 

38 


A  Manual  of  Insteuction 

are  more  commonly  called  "ministers"  or 
"pastors,"  and  "ruling  elders,"  who,  with  the 
pastor,  form  in  each  separate  church  what  is 
known  as  "the  session." 

The  session  is  charged  with  maintaining 
the  spiritual  government  of  the  congregation. 
It  has  power  to  receive  and  dismiss  members 
and  to  supervise  their  conduct.  It  has 
authority  over  the  worship  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  over  the  uses  to  which  the  church 
buildings  may  be  put.  It  has  oversight  of  the 
Sunday  school  and  other  church  organiza- 
tions and  societies,  supervises  the  collection 
and  distribution  of  benevolent  offerings, 
appoints  delegates  to  the  higher  governing 
bodies  of  the  Church,  and  adopts  the  best 
methods  for  promoting  the  spiritual  interests 
of  the  congregation. 

The  other  officers  are  the  deacons  and 
trustees.  "Deacons  are  officers  whose  busi- 
ness it  is  to  take  care  of  the  poor,  and  to 
distribute  among  them  the  collections  which 
may  be  raised  for  their  use.  To  them  also 
may  properly  be  committed  the  temporal 
affairs  of  the  church."  In  most  churches, 
however,  trustees  are  appointed  by  the  con- 
gregation to  hold  the  property  and  to  control 

39 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

the  funds  of  the  church  as  the  congregation 
may  direct. 

The  higher  governing  bodies  of  the  church 
are  the  presbytery,  which  is  composed  of  the 
ministers  and  one  elder  from  each  church 
within  a  certain  district ;  the  synod,  composed 
of  representatives  of  presbyteries  within  a 
still  larger  area ;  and  the  General  Assembly, 
which  also  is  composed  of  an  equal  number 
of  ministers  and  elders,  and  represents  all 
the  presbyteries. 

As  the  session  has  the  power  to  receive  and 

dismiss  members,  admission  to  membership  in 

any  particular  church  is  always  by  vote  of 

the    session.      Persons    who    have 
AhmtiBJStan     ,  ,  /•      .1  1        i 

been  members   01   other   churches 

are  received  by  presenting  letters 
mtmhtrs         „  ,.      .     .       „  ,,  ,        , 

01  dismission  irom  those  churches. 

Persons  who  were  born  within  the  pale  of 
the  church  are  members  of  the  church,  and, 
if  baptized,  are  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per and  enrolled  as  communicant  members 
of  the  church,  on  appearing  before  the  ses- 
sion and  giving  satisfactory  evidence  of  their 
knowledge  and  piety.  They  are  then,  in  most 
churches,  publicly  welcomed  at  the  next  com- 
munion service. 

The  same  course  is  followed  by  all  other 

40 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

applicants  for  communicant  membership,  ex- 
cept that  those  not  previously  baptized  re- 
ceive that  rite  at  the  time  of  their  public 
reception. 

Some  persons  may  stand  in  dread  of  this 
meeting  with  the  session.  It  should  therefore 
be  explained  that  the  experience  is  not  diffi- 
cult or  embarrassing.  One  may  be  accom- 
panied by  relatives  or  friends.  The  session 
will  be  found  to  consist  of  a  small  group  of 
Christian  gentlemen  who  are  always  kindly 
sympathetic,  and  very  frequently  they  are 
familiar  acquaintances  of  the  candidate.  In 
an  entirely  informal  conversation,  brief  ques- 
tions are  asked  by  the  pastor  which  may  be 
answered  in  a  few  words.  These  questions  do 
not  form  an  examination  on  the  Bible  or  the 
doctrines  of  the  Church,  but  relate  to  the 
acceptance  of  Christ.  In  most  cases  they  will 
have  been  previously  explained  by  the  pastor 
in  his  class  for  intending  communicants. 
There  will  be  nothing  in  them  to  occasion 
surprise  or  discomfort.  They  are  only  in- 
tended to  assist  one  in  a  sincere  confession 
of  faith  in  Christ  as  Saviour  and  Lord,  and 
in  vowing  faithfulness  to  him. 

As  our  church  law  states :  "The  vote  of 
the  session  is  the  essential  and  final  act  by 

41 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

which  one  is  thus  received,  and  needs  no  sub- 
sequent action  of  the  church  to  give  it  reality 
or  validity."     As  a  matter  of  custom,  how- 
ever,  the  session  usually  appoints 

^    ^  a  form  of  public   confession  and 

donffBBtott  ,  « 

welcome    for    all    who    have   been 

accepted  as  communicants  of  the  church. 
"This  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  part  of  either 
sacrament,  nor  as  an  invariable  condition  of 
admission  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  simply  a 
method  advisable  in  ordinary  cases."  {Book 
of  Common  Worship,  p.  49.)  This  service 
is  commonly  held  on  Communion  Sunday, 
usually  immediately  before  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per is  administered. 

It  is  at  this  time  that  candidates  who  have 
not  been  baptized  receive  that  ordinance.  It 
is  customary  for  all  the  members  of  the 
church  to  rise  in  recognition  of  these  new 
members  and  to  express  their  welcome  to  the 
church.  All  then  resume  their  seats  and 
together  partake  of  the  communion. 

While  reception  into  membership  is  con- 
ditioned solely  upon  a  credible  confession  of 
faith  in  Christ,  there  are  certain 
^  ,  ^  "standards"  which  fully  set  forth 
the  teachmg  and  government  oi 
the  Presbyterian  Church.    To  these  only  the 

42 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

officers  of  the  church  are  expected  to  sub- 
scribe, yet  with  them  all  the  members  of  the 
church  should  become  acquainted.  Three  of 
these  standards  are  doctrinal,  and  three  ad- 
ministrative; together  they  form  the  consti- 
tution of  the  church.  They  are  as  follows: 
"The  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith"; 
"The  Larger  Catechism"  and  "The  Shorter 
Catechism";  "The  Form  of  Government"; 
"The  Book  of  Discipline";  "The  Directory 
for  Worship."  All  these  are  drawn  from  the 
Bible,  and  are  held  to  be  in  full  accord  with 
its  teachings,  for  in  all  matters  of  faith  and 
practice  the  authority  of  the  Bible  is  re- 
garded as  supreme. 

While  loyal  to  its  own  standards,  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  gladly  recognizes  all  other 
Christian  churches  as  one  with  it  in  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  universal  Church  of  Christ, 
and  unites  with  them  in  the  effort  to  preach 
the  gospel  in  all  the  world  and  to  hasten  the 
coming  of  the  kingdom  of  God. 


48 


Coming  to  the  Communion 


**The  Church's  one  foundation 

Is  Jesus  Christ  her  Lord; 
She  is  his  new  creation 

By  water  and  the  word ; 
From  heaven  he  came  and  sought  her 

To  be  his  holy  bride, 
With  his  own  blood  he  bought  her, 

And  for  her  life  he  died. 

**Elect  from  every  nation. 

Yet  one  o'er  all  the  earth. 
Her  charter  of  salvation. 

One  Lord,  one  faith,  one  birth: 
One  holy  name  she  blesses. 

Partakes  one  holy  food. 
And  to  one  hope  she  presses 

With  every  grace  endued." 

Revised  Hymnal,  No.  304. 


O  God,  who  hast  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of 
men  for  to  dwell  on  the  face  of  the  whole  earth,  and 
didst  send  thy  blessed  Son  to  preach  peace  to  them 
that  are  far  off  and  to  them  that  are  nigh ;  grant  that 
all  men  everywhere  may  seek  after  thee  and  find  thee. 
Bring  the  nations  into  thy  fold,  and  add  the  heathen  to 
thine  inheritance.  And  we  pray  thee  shortly  to  ac- 
complish the  number  of  thine  elect  and  hasten  thy 
kingdom;  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


44 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 
(JuealtnitH  for  Abbittottal  ^ubg 

1.  When   was   the   Christian   Church    established? 
Acts,  ch.  2. 

2.  What  were  the  conditions  of  membership?    Acts 
2:38. 

3.  Who  is  the  Head  of  the  Church?     Eph.  1 : 20-23. 

4.  In  what  does  the  unity  of  the  Church  consist? 
Eph.  4:4-6. 

5.  What  is  the  supreme  task  of  the  Church?    Matt. 
28:19,  20. 

6.  What  is  the  source  of  power  for  the  Church? 
Acts  1 : 8. 

7.  What  is  the  last  Bible  picture  of  the  Church? 
Rev.  21:1  to  22:  5. 


45 


IV 

"Go  ye  therefore,  and  make  disciples  of  all 
nations,  baptizing  them  into  the  name  of  the 
Father  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

Matt.  28:19. 

*'  For  I  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also 
I  delivered  unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the 
night  in  which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread  ;  and 
when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said, 
This  is  my  body,  which  is  for  you:  this  do  in 
remembrance  of  me.  In  like  manner  also  the 
cup,  after  supper,  saying,  This  cup  is  the  new 
covenant  in  my  blood:  this  do,  as  often  as  ye 
drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me.  For  as  often 
as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  the  cup,  ye  pro- 
claim the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 

/  Cor.  1 1:23-26. 


*^The  sacraments  of  the  "New  Testament 
are  Baptism  and  The  Lord's  Supper,^' 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  93. 

^'Baptism  is  a  sacrament  of  the  New 
Testament^  ordained  by  Jesus  Christy  not 
only  for  the  solemn  admission  of  the  party 
baptized  into  the  visible  Church,  but  also 
to  be  unto  him  a  sign  and  seal  of  the  covenant 
of  grace,  of  his  ingrafting  into  Christ,  of 
regeneration,  of  remission  of  sins,  and  of  his 
giving  up  unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
to  walk  in  newness  of  life;  which  sacrament 
is,  by  Christ's  own  appointment,  to  be  con- 
tinued in  his  Church  until  the  end  of  the 
world.'* 

Confession  of  Faith.  Chap.  XXVIII,  Sec.  I. 

*^The  Lord's  Supper  is  a  sacrament, 
wherein,  by  giving  and  receiving  bread  and 
wine,  according  to  Christ's  appointment,  his 
death  is  showed  forth;  and  worthy  receivers 
are,  not  after  a  corporal  and  carnal  manner, 
but  by  faith,  made  partakers  of  his  body  and 
blood,  with  all  his  benefits,  to  their  spiritual 
nourishment  and  growth  in  grace.'^ 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  96. 


"A  sacrament  is  a  holy  ordi- 
nance instituted  by  Christ,  where- 
in, by  sensible  signs,  Christ  and  the  benefits 
of  the  new  covenant  are  represented,  sealed, 
and  applied  to  believers."  In  this  way  the 
Shorter  Catechism  defines  a  sacrament;  and 
it  further  states  that  the  two  sacraments  of 
the  New  Testament  are  Baptism  and  the 
Lord's  Supper. 

The  word  "sacrament"  once  meant  an  oath 
of  fidelity  taken  by  Roman  soldiers  on  en- 
listment; then  it  came  to  denote  any  solemn 
^  promise   that   accepts    oblis^ation, 

then  more  particularly  a  religious 
service  enjoined  by  Christ  for  the  benefit  of 
his  followers.  Hence,  according  to  the  first 
meaning  of  the  word,  these  Christian  sacra- 
ments are  pledges  of  faithfulness  to  Christ, 
and  of  absolute  loyalty  to  him. 

Then,  similarly,  they  are  designed  to  be 
signs  of  membership  in  the  Christian  Church. 
They  are  badges  of  religious  fellowship. 
Those  to  whom  they  are  administered  are 
thereby  marked  as  belonging  to  a  certain 
organization,  as  soldiers  are  distinguished  by 

49 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

a  peculiar  uniform  or  are  enlisted  under  a 
chosen  flag. 

But  further,  they  are  not  empty  forms, 
but  are  vivid  and  instructive  symbols  which 
set  forth  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel. 
They  are  object  lessons  which  are  intended 
to  teach  the  fundamental  facts  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith. 

Most  important  of  all  is  the  fact  that  they 
were  given  by  Christ  to  be  "means  of  grace" 
to  believers.  There  is  no  magical  virtue  in 
these  rites,  nor  does  any  peculiar  power  re- 
side in  the  minister  who  conducts  these  ser- 
vices ;  but,  by  the  blessing  of  Christ  and  the 
working  of  his  Spirit,  real  and  special  bene- 
fits are  received  by  those  who  partake  of  these 
sacraments  in  faith. 

Nor  were  these  sacraments  in- 
tended for  only  the  first  followers 
of  Christ.  They  are  meant  to  be  observed 
through  all  the  years  until  Christ  returns  in 
glory.  That  they  were  thus  continuously  to 
be  observed  is  evident,  from  the  plain  com- 
mands of  our  Lord  when  he  established  them, 
from  the  fact  that  the  needs  they  supply  are 
continual,  from  the  example  of  the  apostles, 
and  from  the  practice  of  the  Church  in  all 
ages. 

50 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

In  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  the  applica- 
tion to  the  body  of  water  is  used  to  sym- 
bolize the  cleansing  of  the  soul  by  the  blood 
of  Christ,  and  the  new  life  of  holiness  which 
results  from  faith  in  him. 

It  is  the  rite  of  initiation  into  the  Christian 
Church.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  it  is  ad- 
ministered to  infants  and  young  children 
whose  parents  are  Christians.  They  are  bap- 
tized to  show  that  they  are  included  in  the 
Church  with  their  parents.  In  presenting 
them  for  baptism,  the  parents  renew  their 
confession  of  faith  in  Christ ;  they  dedicate 
their  children  to  him,  and  express  their  belief 
that  he  alone  can  effect  for  their  children  that 
gracious  work  which  the  water  of  baptism 
suggests.  They  also  promise  to  do  all  in 
their  power  to  rear  these  children  in  Christian 
knowledge  and  faith.  The  church  also  obli- 
gates itself  to  train  and  nurture  these  chil- 
dren whose  membership  it  has  recognized  in 
the  rite  of  baptism. 

When  these  children  are  old  enough  to 
understand  what  is  involved,  it  is  their  duty 
to  accept  and  confess  the  faith  in  which  they 
were  baptized,  and  publicly  to  confirm  the 
vows  that  were  made  for  them  in  baptism. 

51 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

This  is  done  before  the  church  session,  and  it 

entitles    them    to    full    communion    in    the 

Church. 

^ift  Horh'a  Bupptt 

The  communion  is  not  a  private  ceremony 
which  only  professing  Christians  are  to 
attend.  All  persons  should  be  invited  to  be 
present,  that  they  may  receive  the  impressive 
message  which  the  service  brings ;  but  only 
communicant  members  of  the  Church  are  ex- 
pected to  partake  of  the  bread  and  the  wine 
which  are  the  symbols  used  in  this  memorial 
supper, 

_.  The  meaninej  of  this  service  is 

suffffested  by  the  beautiful  names 
it  bears.  It  is  called  "The  Sacra- 
ment" because  of  its  more  frequent  observ- 
ance. Here  the  believer  is  to  renew  his  pledge 
of  loyalty  to  Christ,  and  is  to  receive  from 
Christ  new  supplies  of  grace. 

It  is  called  "The  Lord's  Supper"  because 
it  was  established  by  him,  on  the  night  of 
his  betrayal,  at  the  last  supper  he  ate  with 
his  disciples  before  his  death.  He  wished  it  to 
be  kept  in  special  memory  of  himself,  that  he 
might  in  this  service  be  called  to  mind  by  his 
followers.  "This  do,"  he  said,  "in  remem- 
brance of  me."     More  particularly,  it  was 

52 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

his  death  which  they  were  thus  to  remember. 
He  died  for  them.  So  Paul  explained  the 
supper  when  he  said,  "As  often  as  ye  eat  this 
bread  and  drink  the  cup,  ye  proclaim  the 
Lord's  death."  It  is  also  his  supper  because, 
as  his  followers  are  then  reminded,  he  is 
present,  and  ready  to  bless  those  who  trust 
in  him. 

For  this  last  reason  it  is  also  called  "The 
Communion."  This  word  means  "to  partake 
of  something  with  others."  As  in  this  ser- 
vice we  are  reminded  that  Christ  is  really 
present,  as  our  hearts  go  out  toward  him  in 
love  and  devotion,  he  gives  to  us  new  life  and 
strength  and  j  oy ;  yet  all  we  receive  from  him 
we  share  with  those  who  keep  the  supper  with 
us.  We  also  "commune"  with  Christ,  in 
silent  prayer ;  we  tell  him  our  needs  and  fears 
and  hopes ;  and  he  gives  us  messages  of  peace 
and  cheer.  Others  are  also  communing  with 
him  and  we  are  reminded  that  all  believers 
form  one  body,  sharing  the  same  faith  and 
hope  and  love. 

This  service  is  also  called  "The  Eucharist," 
from  a  word  which  means  "to  give  thanks" ; 
for  on  the  night  when  Christ  sat  at  the  table 
with  his  disciples  he  gave  thanks  before  he 
distributed  the  bread  and  wine.    This  service 

53 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

should  be  for  us  not  one  of  gloom,  but  of 
gladness,  not  of  fear  and  awe,  but  of  holy 
joy  and  thanksgiving.  We  should  be  glad 
as  we  remember  what  Christ  has  done  for  us, 
what  he  is  doing,  and  what  he  will  do  when 
he  comes  again. 

^     ^  The  meaning  of  this  service  be- 

comes  even  more  plain  as  we  re- 
member that  when  Christ  established  this 
sacrament  he  was  keeping  with  his  disciples 
a  feast  which  was  a  type  of  the  supper  he 
bade  them  observe  in  his  memory.  That 
feast  was  called  "the  passover";  and  what 
the  passover  was  to  the  Jews,  the  Lord's 
Supper  became  to  the  followers  of  Christ. 
Each  feast  pointed  back  to  a  great  deliver- 
ance in  the  past,  and  each  pointed  forward 
to  a  greater  deliverance  to  come.  The  pass- 
over  called  to  mind  that  night  in  which  the 
angel  of  death  went  through  the  land  but 
passed  over  the  houses  which  were  marked 
by  the  blood  of  a  lamb;  while  on  the  same 
night  those  who  had  been  saved  by  blood  were 
saved  by  power,  as  God  led  them  out  of  the 
land  of  bondage.  So  the  Lord's  Supper  re- 
minds us  of  a  deliverance  wrought  by  the 
blood  of  a  Lamb,  even  Christ,  our  Paschal 
Lamb  who  was  slain  for  us ;  of  a  deliverance, 

£4 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

too,  wrought  by  power  as  we  put  our  trust  in 
him  and  receive  the  renewing  strength  of  his 
Spirit. 

As  the  passover  also  pointed  forward  to 
that  greater  deliverance  which  was  wrouglit 
on  Calvary  by  this  Saviour,  this  Lamb  of 
God,  so,  too,  the  Lord's  Supper  points  us 
forward  to  that  greater  deliverance  which 
will  be  wrought  when  Christ  comes  again,  to 
raise  the  dead,  to  glorify  the  living,  to 
begin  his  reign  of  glory ;  for  "as  often  as  ye 
eat  this  bread,  and  drink  the  cup,  ye  pro- 
claim the  Lord's  death  till  he  come." 

The    symbols    which    are    used 
^     .   .  in  this   service   are   easily  under- 

stood. The  bread  reminds  us  that 
Christ,  who  is  present,  is  the  Bread  of  Life, 
and  that  as  our  bodies  are  strengthened  by 
partaking  of  food,  so  our  souls  gain  strength 
as  we  trust  in  Christ.  This  bread  is  broken 
because  we  are  calling  to  mind  the  death  of 
Christ  whose  body  was  broken  for  us.  We 
remember  the  sharp  thorns,  the  cruel  scourge, 
the  piercing  nails,  the  cross,  the  spear,  and 
recall  the  words:  "he  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniqui- 
ties," and  the  explanation  of  the  Master: 
"This  is  my  body  which  is  broken  for  you," 

55 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

and  we  are  moved  to  new  love  and  devotion  to 

him. 

So,  too,  wine  pictures  for  us  the  blood  of 

Christ,  his  very  life ;  and  the  wine  poured  out 

pictures  his  life  poured  out,  his  blood  which 

was  shed  for  the  ransom  of  many ;  and  we 

remember  that  we  "have  been  redeemed  not 

with  silver  and  gold  but  with  the  precious 

blood  of  Christ." 

Thus  when  we  drink  the  wine,  as  when  we 

eat  the  bread,  we  picture  our  partaking  of 

Christ,  by  which  is  meant  our  receiving  him, 

in  faith,  as  Saviour  and  Lord,  the  Source  of 

our  life   and   strength ;   and   as  we   eat   and 

drink  with  others  we  show  that  we  have  a 

\   common  life  and  are  members  of  one  body, 

the  Church  of  which  Christ  is  head. 

The   sole   condition   of   rightly   observing 

the    Lord's     Supper    is    that    identification 

with   Christ,   that   submission   and  love   and 

trust  which  are  symbolized  by  partaking  of 

the  bread  and  wine.     No  other  qualification 

^  is  demanded.     However  conscious 

_  of  fault  and  failure  and  sin,  all 

parttripantH      i       .  <.  •  i         i 

who  turn  irom  sm  and  seek  new 

strength  from  Christ  are  heartily  welcome  to 

the  table  of  our  Lord.     Yet  "The  Shorter 

Catechism"  wisely  suggests:    "It  is  required 

56 


< 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

of  them  that  would  worthily  partake  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  that  they  examine  themselves 
of  their  knowledge  to  discern  the  Lord's 
body,  of  their  faith  to  feed  upon  him,  of  their 
repentance,  love  and  new  obedience."  To  aid 
one  in  such  preparation,  a  special  prepara- 
tory service  is  held  in  most  churches ;  but  one 
should  also  seek,  in  private,  some  time  for 
quiet  thought,  and  should  read  prayerfully 
such  portions  of  the  Bible  as  set  forth  the 
death  and  resurrection  of  Christ  and  his 
boundless  love  to  us. 

During  the  Communion  service  the  mind 
should  be  fixed  prayerfully  upon  the  great 
truths  which  are  being  presented.  We  should 
not  think  of  ourselves,  but  rather  of  Christ,  "^ 
that  there  may  be  awakened  in  our  hearts 
a  new  and  passionate  devotion  to  him  "who 
loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us." 

When  the  service  has  ended,  special  care 
should  be  taken  to  keep  in  mind  the  presence 
and  power  of  Christ,  to  avoid  immediate  and 
needless  distractions,  and  to  show  by  word 
and  deed  a  new  desire  and  strength  to  live 
for  Christ  and  to  walk  with  him. 

**  Jesus,  thou  Joy  of  loving  hearts. 

Thou  Fount  of  life,  thou  Light  of  men, 
From  the  best  bliss  that  earth  imparts 
We  turn  unfilled  to  thee  again. 

57 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

**We  taste  thee,  O  thou  living  Bread, 
And  long  to  feast  upon  thee  still; 
We  drink  of  thee,  the  Fountain-head, 
And  thirst  our  souls  from  thee  to  fill. 

**0  Jesus,  ever  with  us  stay. 

Make  all  our  moments  calm  and  bright; 
Chase  the  dark  night  of  sin  away, 
Shed  o'er  the  world  thy  holy  light." 

Revised  Hymnal,  No.  327. 

O  blessed  Saviour,  my  Redeemer  and  my  Lord,  as 
I  come  to  partake  of  the  symbols  of  thy  body  which 
was  broken  for  me  and  of  thy  blood  which  was  shed  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  create  in  me  a  mighty  hunger  for 
thee,  the  Bread  of  Life  which  came  down  from  heaven, 
and  instill  into  my  weak  soul  new  supplies  of  grace, 
new  life,  new  love,  new  vigor,  that  I  may  not  faint 
or  falter  but  may  ever  be  faithful  to  thee.     Amen. 

(f  uf Btiona  for  Abhtltonal  ^tubg 

1.  Why  was  Jesus  baptized?     Matt.  3:13-17. 

2.  Why  do  we  observe  baptism?     Matt.  28:19,  20. 

3.  What  baptism  does  Jesus  promise  his  disciples? 
Acts  1 :  4,  5. 

4.  How  was  the  Lord's  Supper  established?  Luke 
22:7-13. 

5.  When  was  it  observed  by  the  early  Church? 
Acts  2:41,  42,  46;  20:7. 

6.  What  abuse  in  its  observance  arose  in  Corinth? 
I  Cor.  11:20-26. 

7.  To  what  reimion  does  the  Lord's  Supper  point 
forward?     Rev.  19:6-9. 

58 


V 

"Abide  in  me,  and  I  in  you.  As  the  branch 
cannot  bear  fruit  of  itself,  except  it  abide  in  the 
vine;  so  neither  can  ye,  except  ye  abide  in  me. 
I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches :  He  that 
abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the  same  beareth 
much  fruit ;  for  apart  from  me  ye  can  do  noth- 
ing." 

John  15:4.  5. 

"Grow  in  the  grace  and  knowledge  of  our 

Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ." 

II  Peter  3:18. 


"T/i^  outward  and  ordinary  means  whereby 
Christ  communicateth  to  us  the  benefits  of 
redemption  are  his  ordinances,  especially  the 
Word,  Sacraments,  and  prayer,  all  of  which 
are  made  effectual  to  the  elect  for  salvation.** 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  88. 

"That  the  Word  may  become  effectual  to 
salvation,    we   must    attend    thereunto   with 
diligence,  preparation,  and  prayer;  receive  it 
with  faith  and  love,  lay  it  up  in  our  hearts, 
and  practice  it  in  our  lives.** 

The  Shorter  Catechism,  90. 

"Prayer  is  an  offering  up  of  our  desires 
unto  God,  for  things  agreeable  to  his  will, 
in  the  name  of  Christ,  with  confession  of  our 
sins,    and   thankful   acknowledgment    of   his 


mercies*^ 


The  Shorter  Catechism,  99. 


(KIldBttait  Hifif 

Accepting  Jesus  Christ  marks  the  begin- 
ning of  a  new  life,  yet  only  its  beginning. 
This  life  must  be  developed;  its  powers  and 
virtues  must  be  matured.  "Forgetting  those 
things  which  are  behind,"  we  should  be 
"reaching  forth  unto  those  things  which  are 
before."  We  are  bidden  to  "be  perfect,  even 
as  our  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect."  Such 
growth  and  progress  may  be  gradual  and 
difficult;  yet  they  should  be  the  object  of  our 
constant  effort,  and  as  we  are  coming  to  the 
communion  there  should  be  a  special  resolve 
to  make  more  definite  advance  in  our  Chris- 
tian living. 

,  As  the  life  springs  from  faith 

in  Christ,  so  its  development  will 
depend  chiefly  upon  our  constant 
trust  in  him.  There  are,  however,  certain 
definite  habits  and  rules  which  we  should  not 
fail  to  observe,  if  we  seek  to  grow  into  the 
likeness  of  Christ. 

For  instance,  we  should,  make  it  our  habit, 
at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  to  remember 
that  Christ  is  with  us.     This  is  often  called 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

**the  practice   of  his  presence."     We  often 

may  forget  him,  and  we  must  be  occupied  by 

other    thoughts,   but    one    of    the 

first  and  best  rules  of  Christian 

living  is   the   endeavor  more   and 

more  continually  to  recall  the  fact  that  this 

loving  Saviour  and  Friend  is  ever  fulfilling 

for  us  his  gracious  promise:   "Lo,  I  am  with 

you  alway." 

^  Then,  too,   our  human   friend- 

^  ,        ships  can  aid  us  greatly  m  devel- 

opmg  this  new  lite.  A  Christian 
cannot  be  too  much  on  his  guard  against 
forming  intimate  associations  with  those  who 
do  not  love  his  Lord.  Remember  the  word  of 
Paul:  "Be  not  unequally  yoked  with  unbe- 
lievers," and  his  other  warning:  "Evil  com- 
panionships corrupt  good  morals."  There  is 
a  beautiful  phrase  in  the  old  prophecy: 
"Then  they  that  loved  the  Lord  spake  often 
one  to  another."  Let  us  choose  our  comrades 
from  among  those  who  are  devoted  and  con- 
sistent followers  of  Christ.  They  will  inspire 
us  by  their  example,  encourage  us  by  their 
sympathy,  and  strengthen  us  by  their  faith. 
As  even  unconsciously  we  are  molded  by 
their  influence,  we  will  become  more  like  our 
Lord. 

62 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

We  must  have,  as  a  constant 
companion  and  guide,  the  written 
Word  of  God,  if  we  are  to  develop 
as  Christians.  Without  it  we  shall  remain 
weak  and  immature.  So  Peter  suggests,  "As 
newborn  babes,  long  for  the  pure  milk  of  the 
word,  that  ye  may  grow  thereby."  In  reading 
the  Bible  we  should  not  be  discouraged  if  its 
contents  seem  hard  to  understand  or  lacking 
in  interest.  The  taste  for  Bible  study  can 
be  cultivated.  Let  us  adopt  a  regular  time 
and  a  definite  plan.  Possibly  the  worst  time 
is  just  before  we  fall  asleep  at  night,  when  we 
are  tired  and  forgetful;  but  it  is  far  better 
than  having  no  time  at  all.  The  best  time 
is  the  first  hour  of  the  day ;  and  many  young 
Christians  have  found  a  new  and  surprising 
interest  in  the  Bible  as  they  have  begun  to 
observe  "the  morning  watch."  For  this 
"quiet  time"  with  the  Word  of  God,  special 
selections  are  provided  which  prove  helpful 
to  many.  Others  prefer  to  follow  the  "Daily 
Readings"  suggested  in  connection  with  the 
Sunday-school  lessons.  Others  prefer  to 
read  the  Bible  "book  by  book,"  or  to  read 
one  portion  over  and  over  again  until  it 
becomes  more  and  more  clear.  Some  like  to 
read  from  another  version  than  the  English, 

63 


< 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

and  find  help  in  concentrating  the  mind  by 
using  the  Greek  or  French  or  German.  Some 
find  much  help  in  using  a  brief  commentary 
or  explanation  of  the  passage  read. 

Whatever  the  plan,  our  purpose  should 
ever  be  so  to  understand  the  truth  which  God 
has  revealed,  that  we  may  know  and  do  his 
holy  will.  We  are  to  remember  the  rule: 
"Apply  thyself  to  the  Scriptures,"  but  also: 
"Apply  the  Scriptures  to  thyself."  Our 
Bible  study  must  be  in  the  truest  sense  "devo- 
tional." If  we  thus  "search  the  Scriptures" 
we  shall  indeed  find  that  in  them  we  "have 
eternal  life." 

Among  the  "means  of  grace"  those  com- 
monly emphasized,  in  connection  with  the 
Bible,  are  the  sacraments  and  prayer.     How 

^  helpful  the  former  may  be  to  the 

Srsupr 

believer  has  already  been  sug- 
gested in  referring  to  the  Lord's  Supper; 
but  we  need  here  to  lay  special  stress  upon  the 
practice  of  prayer  in  relation  to  the  growth 
and  development  of  the  Christian  life.  Prayer 
has  been  called  "the  Christian's  vital  breath" ; 
and  surely  one  can  hardly  be  a  true  follower 
of  Christ  who  does  not  believe  in  the  power 
of  prayer,  who  does  not  cultivate  the  practice 
of  prayer,  and  who  does  not  find  an  increas- 

64 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

ing  delight  in  prayer.  We  must  learn  to  pray. 
We  should  not  be  easily  discouraged.  Christ 
taught  the  first  disciples,  and  he  is  willing  to 
admit  us  to  his  school  of  prayer. 

He  encourages  us  by  his  example,  for  dur- 
ing his  earthly  ministry  we  so  repeatedly  find 
him  praying,  as  to  suggest  this  as  a  fixed 
habit  of  his  life.  He  encourages  us  by  his 
promises  also.  "Ask  and  ye  shall  receive," 
he  is  heard  to  say  again  and  again.  We 
should  believe,  then,  that  things  will  be 
granted  by  our  Lord,  when  we  pray,  which 
would  not  be  granted  if  we  did  not  pray. 

He  suggests  that  we  should  have  set  times 
for  prayer.  While  we  can  pray  at  all  times, 
we  will  be  aided  by  having  appointed  seasons, 
as  at  morning  and  at  night,  when  we  pause 
for  praise  and  confession,  and  present  to  him 
our  needs. 

He  teaches  us  to  have  a  place  for  prayer, 
where  we  can  be  uninterrupted  and  alone. 
"When  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet, 
and,  when  thou  hast  shut  the  door,  pray  to 
thy  Father  who  is  in  secret." 

He  states  the  necessity  of  definiteness  in 
prayer,  intimating  that  nothing  is  too  small 
to  be  the  subject  of  our  prayer,  but  that 

65 


COMIXG  TO  THE   COMMUNION 

our  first  petition  should  be  for  the  coming 
of  the  kingdom  of  God. 

He  declares  that  we  should  pray  in  faith, 
and  with  perseverance ;  but  gives  us  the 
supreme  lesson  of  submission  to  God  in 
prayer,  as  he  cries  in  his  agony,  when  about 
to  drink  the  bitter  cup  of  death  for  us, 
"Nevertheless,  not  my  will  but  thine  be  done." 
As  we  learn  from  Christ  such  lessons  in 
praj^er,  we  shall  be  able  more  and  more  per- 
fectly to  obey  the  precept:  "Be  anxious  for 
nothing;  but  in  everything  by  prayer  and 
supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  let  your  re- 
quests be  made  known  unto  God." 

To  grow  into  the  likeness  of  Christ,  by  thus 
"abiding  in  him,"  by  companionship  with  his 
followers,  by  studying  his  Word,  by  fellow- 
ship with  him  in  prayer,  should  be  our  con- 
stant aim.  We  should  never  be  satisfied  with 
present  attainments,  but  seek  for  continual 
development.  This  cannot  be  by  fixing  our 
thoughts  anxiously  upon  ourselves,  but  by 
"looking  unto  Jesus."  "Beholding  the  glory 
of  the  Lord,  we  are  changed  into  the  same 
image  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord." 


66 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

"Spirit  of  God,  descend  upon  my  heart; 

Wean  it  from  earth ;  through  all  its  pulses  move ; 
Stoop  to  my  weakness,  mighty  as  thou  art. 
And  make  me  love  thee  as  I  ought  to  love. 

"Teach  us  to  feel  that  thou  art  alway  nigh, 
Teach  me  the  struggle  of  the  soul  to  bear. 
To  check  the  rising  doubt,  the  rebel  sigh. 

Teach  me  the  patience  of  unanswered  prayer." 
Revised  Hymnal,  No.  273. 

Almighty  God,  who  hast  given  thine  only  Son  to  be 
unto  us  both  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  and  also  an  ensample  of 
godly  life:  Give  us  grace  that  we  may  always  most 
thankfully  receive  that,  his  inestimable  benefit,  and  also 
daily  endeavor  ourselves  to  follow  the  blessed  steps  of 
his  most  holy  life ;  through  the  same  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


(fuFBttnttfl  fnr  Abbtttnttal  ^tubg 

1.  What  is  the  best  proof  that  we  are  born  of  God? 
I  John  2:29;  3:14;  5:1. 

2.  What  should  be  our  aim  as  Christians?  Phil. 
1:21;  3:13,  14;  I  Tim.  1:5;  II  Peter  1:5-7;  II  Tim. 
4:7. 

3.  What  care  should  Christians  exercise  as  to  their 
companionships?     I  Cor.  15:33;   II  Cor.  6:14  to  7:1. 

4.  What  is  the  character  and  use  of  the  Bible?  Ps. 
119:105;  Heb.  1:1;  II  Peter  1:19-21;  II  Tim.  3:15-17. 

5.  What  model  for  prayer  has  Christ  given  us? 
Matt.  6:9-15. 

6.  What  encouragement  in  prayer  has  Christ  given? 
Luke  6:12;  9:29;   11:1-13;    18:1-8. 

7.  What  encouragement  have  we  in  seeking  to  be- 
come like  Christ?  Rom.  8:29,  30;  I  John  3:1-3;  II 
Cor.  3:18. 

67 


VI 

(UlirtBtian  Bttnltt 

**  Whosoever  would  be  first  among  you,  shall 
be  servant  of  all.  For  the  Son  of  man  also  came 
not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister,  and 
to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many."' 

Mark  10:44,  45. 

"Who  went  about  doing  good." 

Ads  10:38. 

"Ye   shall   be   my   witnesses  .   .   .  unto   the 

uttermost  part  of  the  earth." 

Acts  1:8. 


*'We  believe  that  it  is  our  duty,  as  ser- 
vants and  friends  of  Christ,  to  do  good  unto 
all  men,  to  maintain  the  public  and  private 
worship  of  God,  to  hallow  the  Lord's  Day,  to 
preserve  the  sanctity  of  the  family,  to  uphold 
the  just  authority  of  the  State,  and  so  to  live 
in  all  honesty,  purity,  and  charity  that  our 
lives  shall  testify  of  Christ.  We  joyfully 
receive  the  word  of  Christ,  bidding  his  people 
go  into  all  the  world  and  make  disciples  of  all 
nations,  and  declare  unto  them  that  God  was 
in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself, 
and  that  he  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved  and 
to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  We 
confidently  trust  that  by  his  power  and 
grace,  all  his  enemies  and  ours  shall  be  finally 
overcome,  and  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
shall  be  made  the  kingdom  of  our  God  and  of 
his  Christ.  In  this  faith  we  abide;  in  this 
service  we  labor;  and  in  this  hope  we  pray. 
Even  so,  come.  Lord  Jesus,^^ 

Brief  Statement  of  the  Reformed  Faith,  Article  XVI. 


(El^rtatian  ^tmUt 

The  most  natural  expression  of 
Christian  life  is  found  in  the  ser- 
vice which  we  render  to  others  for 
the  sake  of  Christ.  Service  is  the  law  of 
Christian  living.  Our  Lord  calls  us  to  labor 
in  his  vineyard.  He  teaches  us  to  regard 
our  abilities  and  wealth  and  friendships  and 
influence  and  strength,  as  talents  entrusted 
to  us,  for  the  use  of  which  we  are  to  render  an 
account.  He  declares  that  in  his  own  self- 
sacrificing  devotion  to  others  he  has  given  us 
an  example  that  we  should  imitate.  He  states 
that  the  greatest  among  his  followers  are 
those  who  are  most  helpful  to  their  fellows. 
He  bids  us  to  let  our  light  so  shine  before 
men  that  they  may  see  our  good  works  and 
glorify  our  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  He 
commands  us  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  to 
bring  to  every  creature  the  good  news  of 
his  salvation.  He  would  have  us  do  all  in  our 
power  to  hasten  the  coming  of  the  kingdom 
of  God. 
_.  The  motive  in  this  service  must 

.  be  love.     Christ  does  promise  to 

reward  his  servants,  but  he  wishes 
them  to  be  prompted  by  no  selfish  hope  of 

71 


COMIXG   TO    THE   COMMUXION 

gain.  He  would  have  us  moved  by  sympathy 
for  those  in  need,  by  a  desire  to  be  helpful, 
by  love  for  others  for  his  sake,  and  most  of 
all  by  gratitude  to  him  who  has  done  so  much 
for  us ;  as  John  wrote,  "We  love,  because  he 
first  loved  us,"  or  as  Paul  declared,  "The  love 
of  Christ  constraineth  us ;  because  we  thus 
judge,  that  one  died  for  all,  .  .  .  that 
they  that  live  should  no  longer  live  unto 
themselves,  but  unto  him  who  for  their  sakes 
died  and  rose  again." 

While  the  term  "Christian  Service"  may 
describe  everything  which  is  done  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  or  in  following  his  example,  or  in 
obedience  to  his  will,  there  are  certain  duties 
which  belong  exclusively  to  those  who  have 
confessed  their  faith  in  Christ  and  are  mem- 
bers of  his  Church.  There  are  many  other 
duties  which  Christians  share  in  common  with 
other  men ;  these  will  be  performed  the  more 
faithfully  by  the  followers  of  Christ ;  and 
loyalty  to  the  Master  will  lead  his  servants, 
in  every  sphere  of  life,  to  do,  not  only  that 
which  duty  demands,  but  all  that  love  sug- 
gests. 

For  instance,  in  every  home  it  is  the  duty 
of  husbands  and  wives  to  be  faithful,  of  par- 
ents to  provide   for   their   children,   and   of 

72 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

children  to  obey  their  parents;  but  in  the 
Christian  home,  most  of  all,  should  be  mani- 
fest a  sense  of  the  sacredness  of 
family  ties,  and  a  spirit  of  devo- 
tion,  of  self-sacrifice  and  of  love. 
Our  Lord  himself  gave  us  a  true  example  of 
home  life,  in  those  long  years  at  Nazareth, 
living  among  his  brothers  and  sisters  in 
humble  obedience  to  his  earthly  parents. 
During  his  public  ministry  he  showed  re- 
peatedly his  love  for  little  children ;  and  he 
gave  his  most  tender  lesson  in  service  as  he 
pointed,  to  a  little  child  and  said,  "Whoso 
shall  receive  one  such  little  child  in  my  name, 
receiveth  me."  So,  too,  when  the  apostles 
wrote  their  letters  for  our  instruction  they 
told  us  how  to  live  in  all  the  tender  and  holy 
relations  of  home  life.  Some  persons  appear 
at  their  best  in  public ;  but  one  who  would 
render  true  Christian  service  should  begin 
by  showing  how  thoughtful  and  obedient  and 
helpful  and  loving  he  can  be  in  the  home. 

Then,  too,  in  the  larger  spheres 
of  life,  outside  the  home,  the  Chris- 
tian, above  all  others,  should  be 
found  most  ready  to  serve.     There  is  today 
a  loud  call  for  what  is  termed  "social  service," 
and  to  this  call  the  Christian  should  be  the 

73 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

first  to  respond.  In  the  presence  of  poverty, 
pain,  injustice,  ignorance  and  crime,  he 
should  be  the  most  eager  to  offer  sympathy 
and  aid. 

It  is  true  that  most  of  the  duties  which 
these  conditions  suggest  belong  to  the  Chris- 
tian not  because  of  his  special  relation  to 
Christ,  but  because  he  is  a  member  of  the  com- 
munity or  a  citizen  of  the  State;  but  he  will 
assume  them  the  more  gladly  and  accomplish 
them  the  more  perfectly  because  he  is  a 
follower  of  the  Master  who  taught  us  that, 
as  the  first  commandment  is  to  love  God  with 
all  our  hearts,  the  second  is  to  love  our  neigh- 
bors as  ourselves. 

In  every  community,  all  wise  movements 
which  make  for  health  and  happiness,  for 
peace  and  purity,  for  equality  and  enlight- 
enment and  liberty  and  progress,  should  be 
led  and  supported  by  Christians. 

The  civil  government  must  enact  laws  to 
regulate  wealth  and  poverty,  to  determine 
the  relation  between  employer  and  employed, 
to  control  the  hours  and  conditions  and  wages 
of  the  laborer,  to  abolish  the  evils  of  the 
liquor  traffic,  to  preserve  the  Sabbath,  to 
punish  crime,  and  to  relieve  distress.  The 
Christian   should   above   all   others   aid   and 

74 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

support  the  government,  should  conscien- 
tiously obey  the  laws,  should  regard  his  own 
wealth  and  knowledge  and  power  as  sacred 
trusts  to  be  used  in  the  service  of  others,  and 
in  every  relation  of  life  should  observe  the 
"golden  rule"  of  his  Master:  "Whatsoever 
ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye 
also  to  them." 

As  we  come  to  the  communion  we  should 
resolve  anew  to  be  faithful  in  our  perform- 
ance of  these  varied  forms   of  service ;  but 
we  should  also  have  in  mind  those 
duties   which   are   not    recognized 
by  others,  and  are  peculiar  to  us 
as  members  of  the  Church  and,  as 
followers  of  Christ. 

In  general  we  are  expected  to  support  and 
to  strengthen  the  church,  to  maintain  its 
peace  and  purity,  to  submit  to  its  discipline, 
to  observe  its  sacraments,  to  guard  its  good 
name,  and  in  every  way  to  seek  its  welfare. 
More  definitely  it  is  our  duty  to  attend  the 
services  of  the  church,  both  those  appointed 
for  Sunday  and  for  the  other  days  of  the 
week.  Unless  providentially  prevented,  our 
attendance  should  be  regular,  cheerful,  punc- 
tual. No  other  engagements  should  be  al- 
lowed to  interfere,  and  our  personal  plans 

75 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

and  habits  should  be  made  to  conform  to  this 
fixed  rule. 

We  will  be  profited  by  the  instruction 
which  the  church  provides,  we  will  be  aided  in 
worship  as  we  unite  with  others  in  praise  and 
prayer,  we  will  be  helped  in  holy  living  by 
the  inspiration  of  Christian  fellowship  and 
friendship.  We  will  also  encourage  the  pas- 
tor in  his  labors  and  influence  our  fellow 
members  to  be  faithful  in  their  attendance. 
Such  a  practice,  moreover,  is  in  accordance 
with  the  example  of  our  Lord,  with  the  prac- 
tice of  the  people  of  God  in  all  ages,  and  with 
the  divine  command:  "Not  to  forsake  the 
assembling  of  ourselves  together." 

It  is  also  our  duty  to  contribute  regularly 
to  the  financial  support  of  the  church  and  of 
its  benevolent  and  missionary  work.  These 
contributions  should  be  systematic.  We 
should  decide  upon  a  certain  portion  of  our 
income  to  be  given  weekly  to  religious  and 
charitable  work.  One  may  begin  with  a  tenth, 
but  should  increase  the  proportion  whenever 
possible.  Part  of  the  amount  contributed 
should  be  given  to  the  local  church  of  which 
one  is  a  member,  and  part  to  the  work  of 
the  church  at  home  and  abroad.  In  order 
that  one  may  give  more  cheerfully  and  more 

76 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

intelligently,  an  effort  should  be  made  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  different  fields  in 
which  the  church  is  interested,  and  with  the 
various  "church  boards"  and  agencies  by 
which  the  work  is  being  carried  on. 

A  further  duty  devolving  upon  every  mem- 
ber is  to  take  a  definite  part  in  the  work  of 
the  church.  Its  activities  are  usually  so 
varied  and  so  well  organized  that  it  should 
not  be  difficult  to  find  some  place  of  service. 
The  Sunday  school  is  intended  for  adults  as 
well  as  for  children ;  it  should  include  on  its 
rolls  all  the  members  of  the  church,  and  it 
can  find  employment  for  all  who  fit  them- 
selves to  be  teachers  or  officers.  The  various 
societies,  and  brotherhoods  and  leagues,  are 
ready  to  welcome  all  who  are  willing  to  unite 
with  them,  and  can  use  the  talents  and  direct 
the  energies  of  old  and  young.  There  is  some 
work  for  each  one  of  us,  and  it  is  for  us 
to  discover  where  we  can  be  of  greatest  help. 

Above  all  it  is  our  duty  to  bring  others  to 
Christ  and  into  fellowship  with  his  Church. 
He  is  "the  Light  of  the  World"  and  we  are 
his  witnesses.  He  would  have  us  pray  for 
laborers  to  be  sent  into  his  harvest ;  he  would 
have  us  to  bring  all  our  tithes  into  his  store- 
house ;  he  would  have  us  go  to  all  nations  with 

77 


Coming  to  the  Communion 

the  message  of  salvation.  It  is  for  us  faith- 
fully to  use  every  talent  in  the  service  of  the 
Master  and  for  the  glory  of  his  name. 

"Lord,  speak  to  me,  that  I  may  speak 
In  living  echoes  of  thy  tone; 
As  thou  hast  sought,  so  let  me  seek 
Thy  erring  children  lost  and  lone. 

*'0  use  me.  Lord,  use  even  me. 

Just  as  thou  wilt,  and  when  and  where ; 
Until  thy  blessed  face  I  see. 

Thy  rest,  thy  joy,  thy  glory  share.'* 

Revised  Hymnal,  No.  361. 

O  Lord,  give  us  more  charity,  more  self-denial, 
more  likeness  to  thee.  Teach  us  to  sacrifice  our  com- 
forts to  others,  and  our  likings  for  the  sake  of  doing 
good.  Make  us  kindly  in  thought,  gentle  in  word, 
generous  in  deed.  Teach  us  that  it  is  better  to  give 
than  to  receive ;  better  to  forget  ourselves  than  to  put 
ourselves  forward ;  better  to  minister  than  to  be  minis- 
tered unto.  And  unto  thee,  the  Lord  of  Love,  be 
glory  and  praise  forever.     Amen. 


(j^uwtinna  for  Abliittonal  ^tubc 

1.  What  is  the  true  influence  of  Christians?    Matt. 
5:13-16;   Phil.  2:14-16. 

2.  What  are  the  characteristics  and  rewards  of  those 
who  serve  Christ?     Matt.  5 :  3-12. 

3.  What  instruction  does  Paul  give  as  to  the  family 
life  of  Christians  ?    Col.  3 :  18  to  4 : 1 ;  Eph.  5 :  22  to  6 : 9. 

78 


A  Manual  of  Instruction 

4.  What  does  the  New  Testament  teach  as  to  Chris- 
tian citizenship?     Horn.  13:1-8. 

5.  What  should  be  our  rules  in  giving  money  for 
Christian  work?     I  Cor.  16:2;   II  Cor.  chs.  8  and  9. 

6.  To  what  special  kinds  of  service  does  Christ  call 
his  followers?     Luke  24:44-48;  Acts  1:8. 

7.  What  vision  encourages  us  in  Christian  service? 
Rev.  11:15. 


79 


AA'- 


Date  Due 


18 '52 


